Kolkata faces sudden cold wave, drops from 17°C to 12.8°C in two days

As West Bengal gears up for Makar Sankranti, a sudden and significant drop in temperature has engulfed the entire state, including the bustling metropolis of Kolkata. Two days before the auspicious festival, the Meteorological Department's regional headquarters in Alipore reported a noteworthy decrease in temperature, with Kolkata experiencing a minimum of 12.8 degrees Celsius. This marks a sharp decline from the 17-plus degrees Celsius recorded just 48 hours prior, intensifying the cold spell across various regions of the state. The maximum temperature also witnessed a dip, recording at 22.02 degrees Celsius, three degrees below the seasonal norm.

The Meteorological Department has issued a statement, highlighting the widespread impact of the cold wave. Beyond Kolkata, areas such as Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong are already grappling with severe cold conditions. The temperature range of 10 to 20 degrees Celsius in these regions has contributed to the chilling weather. The Meteorological Department predicts a continuation of this cold trend until the end of the week, with a potential rise in temperatures anticipated thereafter.